Tampon



March 7, 1950 RABELL 2,499,414

TAMPON Filed April 15, 1947 INVENTOR MIRIAM E. RABELL Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED" STATES FATE.NT

OFFICE Claims.

The present invention relates to absorbent tampons for insertion into body cavities such as the vaginal canal for the absorption and retention of fluid secretions.

Absorption tampons for catamenial purposes have been proposed heretofore but they are not entirely satisfactory. Tampons which expand longitudinally when moistened by liquid are apt to exert pressure against certain nerves and muscles of the body. For instance, such longitudinal expansion may exert pressure against the cervix in one direction and against the sphincter muscles in the opposite direction. Expansion and pressure of a tampon against the cervix may result in sealing and damming the discharge passage of the cervix and cause seriousdiscomforts. Downward pressure on the sphincter muscles results in local discomforts. While tampons have been proposed of such form as to avoid undesirable longitudinal expansion when moistened, they have been so shaped or formed as to have the disadvantage of having too small anabsorption.

and fluid retention capacity, the size and shape are such as to be diflicult for insertion without the aid of special appliances, or their appearance and feel have been such as to make them unattractive to the user.

Without discussing the numerous proposals of 4 the prior art, it seems sufficient to summarize it by saying that despite the known convenience of a tampon, the art has not produced one of such a form or construction, and of such safety,

capacity, comfort and attractiveness as to displace to anysubstantial degree the acknowledged inconvenient sanitary napkin.

One of the objects of thepresent invention is, to provide a tampon which, forits size, has an.

unusually large capacity. 7

Another object of the-present invention is to provide a tampon which,; whenmoistened, ex-.

absorption and .fluid, retention...

pands radially rather than longitudinally, and is therefore comfortable andsafe, and which pref sents a cup-like receptacle during use for. fluid...

reception and retention.

Still another object of'the invention is 12013301... vide a tampon which is ofsuch asize andhshape tapered end having relatively less material inthe end portion An additional object of the invention istogi' im vide a. tampon... which. whiles'nfificiently shape 2 retaining topermit application as describedand" compressed to suclr an extent asto providea large absorbent capacity in relation to its size; is nevertheless soft tothe touch on all exposed areas, aesthetically pleasing to the user and harmlessto sensitive tissues.

Another object .is to provide a. tampon'which retains its shape before use asa result 0I11yOf" compression inlimited areas, andwithout the requirements of adhesive, and which'can expand: immediately upon being moistened without-waitingifor, the a'dhesiveto be softened. H

Still another. object is to provide a tampon having an inner layer of gauze or other-moreabsorbent material which aidsin distributing; moisture, but which is so placed as not to contact tionsrthereof 'and'the pieces may be of various-- shapes andsizes, but. with corners which fold to form a. point. Thetampon may. be formed from the sheet "material. by pursing up and fold ing together. the material which central,portion. The folds of the pursed mate"- rial are. preferably disposed along lines spaced? apart 'andjextending longitudinally of -the pursed? then compressed later-+ ally ofjthepursedjpprtion; This compression substantially The base end, besides being" somewhatlarger, is more soft and less com??- pressed. The apex is not only smaller butis more portion. Thematerial is results in .a semi compressed, body, conical in shape.

firmly compressed.

The pursing-up of the upper .portions. Thisgives shape-havingpurved surface sections and grooves extending radially, the curved' surface portions;

The compression takes place preferably-{at spaced areas such as points *or in radial grooves and not on the curved outer surfaces.-

stat so that the s resiliency bh ra eat: a 3;; modd f ristic of theiuncompressed'cot tampon'is preferably' form'e surrounds the material in shaping-the" tamppn causes the formation of folds or undulations in the material, particularly in the side and 4 the tampon afluted towards the center between This leaves the exposed surfaces in only a semi-compressed urface retainsthe softness and;

apin'g ithe material iniassociaation with the mode of compressing it at spaced points between the surface gives the final tampon substantially a continuous surface of uncompressed soft material of immediate and maximum absorptive value, although the total mass of material confined by compression within the final volume of the tampon is relatively great. The mode of forming and compressing the tampon also produces and retains undulations in the material which are apparent to a considerable extent on the surface of the tampon itself, thus providing a greater area for absorption than would be the case if the outer surface were truly circular such as would result from more or less uniform compression over the entire circumferential surface.

The edges and/or corners of the pursed portion which comprise the apex of the tampon may have a substantially conical pointed shape. The base portion of the body may also have formed therein an indentation, preferably dome-shaped, which is suitable to accommodate the fingernail ofthe user and also to receive therein for packaging a withdrawal cord attached to the material.

The compression is intended to render the material shape retaining or at least partiall shape retaining, that is to say, at least shape retaining in the more firmly compressed portion so as to allow for wrapping and packaging in a shape retaining wrapper or package, and also for use after the wrapper is removed. In other words, when the wrapper is removed, the body of material is adapted to substantially retain its shape and size for an adequate length of time for its application. This makes it unnecessary to use a confining applicator.

The product of the present invention comprises an elongated preferably tapered body, the larger end of which is soft and receptive to the fingernail of the user while the other or small end is firm, smooth and substantially conical in shape turn to their original sheet-like condition or straightness. This unfelted condition of the fibers in the large end of the tampon functions much like a hinge so that when the body is engaged b fluid the pursed portion opens and expands radially, the opening of the pursed portion resembling closely the opening of a tulip and provides a cup-like cavity to receive and retain fluid. This radial expanding and opening characteristic of the pursed-up portion of the tampon on the present invention insures the user against the occurrence of pressure on the cervix and the sphincter muscles and the central cup-like opening formed thereby provides for the unusually large absorption and fluid retention capacity of the tampon. Also, the folding feature of the tampon provides for a greatly. extended absorption surface.

The use of gauze either on the inner side of the pursed cotton sheeting or between two pieces of cotton sheeting provides a stiffening member for the material which, it is believed, helps to give the tampon the partial shape retaining and hinge-like characteristics when semi-compressed. During the compression, thegauzeis creased in the folds which form during the pursingmp and when pursed-up as described later.

fluid throughout the material of the tampon is effected. The gauze further aids in strengthening the tampon for the withdrawal cord which preferably is looped through the central portion of the material.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a-view in perspective of three rectangular pieces of sheet material which form together a laminated body suitable for the manufacture of the tampon of the present invention; Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5 are views in perspective of different shapes and arrangements of pieces of sheet material illustrating a few of the many shapes and arrangements of sheet material that may be used in the manufacture of the tampon;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the tampon in partially opened condition;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the finished article without a wrapper;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the tampon wrapped for shipment; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment showing the compression at separated areas rather than in lines.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, several shapes of pieces of sheet material and laminated bodies thereof are shown to illustrate the wide selection of shapes and arrangements of sheet material that may be used in the manufacture of the tampon of the present invention. In Figure 1 a laminated body of sheet material is shown comprising two rectangular pieces 2| and 22 of soft absorbent material such as cotton batting having sandwiched therebetween one or more thicknesses of gauze 24. The pieces 2! and 22 are longer in one dimension than the other so that when one piece is applied over the other with the long dimensions thereof at right angles, the ends of each piece extend beyond the side edges of the other piece and provide together eight distinct corners. This provides eight points forming the conical upper end on the tampon The gauze 24 interposed between the two layers of cotton may be of any suitable size and shape except that for best performance it should not extend beyond the outermost extremity of the cotton.

A suitable cord 25 is looped through the central portion of the laminated body and a knot 26 may be tied in the looped portion so that when either end of the cord is pulled, the knot will engage and grip the material. Instead of tying a knot in the looped portion, a knot 21 (Figure 2) may be tied in the cord on the side of the material opgular piece 28 (Figure 2), a triangular piecev 32 (Figure 5) or any other desired shape. If desired, two or more such pieces may be combined. In Figure 3, two squares of sheeting 34 and 35 are overlapped atan angle of 45- enamels- 1 to each other-whereby eight distinct corners are provided which fwhen the mater-iai is pursedcompressedy' will: comprise the apex portionof th'e Such pieces -ma-y ormay not have tampon. gauze between them: Two equilateral triangular pieces32 and -33 -(,Figure 'may -also be usedin:

overlapping relation- 'to provide six distinct corners, withorwithout gauze-b'etweenthem; 'Another shape and arrangement of cotton andgauze sheeting, such asshown in-Figure 4,may-be used satisfactorily. In- *Figure 4; a circular piece of gauze -36 :is sandwiched betweenstwo"rectangular pieces of cotton of different -:-size;

Thus,- regardless-of the shape of the soft absorbent material; whether rectangular} triangu lar, or any other similar-"polygon shape; his

to be-understood thatoneor more-layersiof gauze side thereof 'that will constitute-the inner surfaces of the'tampon when-the material is pursed. The piece or pieces of cotton'batting and-gauze,

if the latter-is used; maybe -cut from sheet material and assembled by hand or by'any suitable- The cord' is then machine for this purpose.-

prefera'bly fixed in any ofthe manners described, following which-the blank infi'at form; such as shown 'in Figures 1 'to-'5,-is in form "for the pursing-up andcompressing-operation.-

The-assembledsheetor sheets of material are then 'pursed-upand given the shape somewhat similar to thatshownin Figure 6, with the Gen tral portionadjacent the-string forming the -bottom or base of the tampon-andthe-edgesorthosheet material forming-theupper portion. The pursed-up tampon' will have 1 outer surface undulations 40 and inner folds or undulations H (Figure '7) When-a square "or a-triangular piece I of material is used the cornersof these pieces will form the points'42 (Figure '63 Thispursingup may beaccomplished by hand or by any suitable apparatus.

The material in this pursed-up form is then subjected to compression in spaced separate areas to cause it to retain its shape.

Preferably. the radial compressing forces are adapted to compress the material in the folds or inner undulations 4|. In practice, if this is diffi cut, the compressingforces-may assist informing and distributing theinner" undulations 41.

The shaping andcompressing:"forces m'ay-ral's'o' force the outer undulations 40 radially. although a relatively small amount of pressure is applied to the outer undulations 40, so as not to destroy the soft outer surface, and the primary compression is accomplished by the compressing forces which may form highly compressed lines 43.

A preferred form of the finished tampon is substantially shape retaining, as illustrated in Figure 8. It is fluteike in contour and comprises the soft feel ng curved surfaces 40 and the compressed portions 43. The soft base member is shown with a recess 44 to accommodate the fingernail, and with the conical apex 45.

Another form of the finished tampon is shown in Figure 10 in which the compression is accomplished at spaced areas instead of in the lines 43. In this case as well, the compression in these areas is sufficiently great to hold the tampon in compressed shape retaining form without the use of an adhesive, leaving the outer portion relatively uncompressed and soft to the touch.

Following the formation of the tampon, it is placed in a. wrapper, as shown-in Figures, and

tightly wrapped. This helps to-retain the compressed shape through the strength of the wra'pper. The wrapper is also preferably moistureand germ-proof, and may be made outof material such as cellophane.

A rip strip 46 extends lengthwiseof the tampon and the wrapper, whereby the wrappermay be easilyremoved from the tampon bym'erely pulling laterally on the strip A further understanding of the shape and structure of the tampon can be obtained from Figure 6, which also illustrates the-shape of the tampon'aiter it is removed from the wrapper and permitted to expandradially. The outer soft and uncompressed surfaces 40 are readily apparent and thecompressed portions 43, which are* formed by the action of the compressive-forces,

are readily apparent.

Upon subjecting the tampon to moisture-lorliquid, it opens further in'a manner closely resembling the openingof a tulip as it bloomsuntil it assumes a cup-like shape and eventuallya flat shape unless otherwise confined.

The semi-compressed condition of the tampon insures-that the fibers of the material of the base or central portion 41 of the body are-not broken or felted but remain unaffected by the shaping compressing operations. unfe'lted condition of the fibers in the lower "part of the tampon insures a hinge action since the fibers, when released, tend to return to substantially the flatsheet condition they were in before the pursing and compressing operations.

Thus, when the wrapper is removed from the tampon .and the tampon is permitted to expand,

such as when-the conical end portion becomes moistened; the material tends'to open up radially as though hinged at the base thereof. This open- ,ingup characteristic of the tampon is illustrated in Figured. As the tampon opens it presents a* of the present tampon has a great absorbing andfluid retention --adva-ntage over spun and wad types of tampons heretofore proposed.

The above described method may be carried out by handor by any suitable method or apparatus. Reference is made to the'copending a'p p icationof William. I-LRabe-ll, Serial No. 445,519, filed June 2, 1942, now Patent 2,425,004, which describes various specific methods and apparatuses for forming the tampon described herein.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my appication, Serial No. 445,520, filed June 2, 1942, now abandoned.

Having described the novel tampon and a method by which it is made, it will be apparent that variations in construction may be made without departing from my invention as described. in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tampon in the form of an elongated body comprising at least one layer of soft absorbent sheet-like material of polygonal shape having a plurality of corners and at least one layer of moisture absorbent gauze on top of at least one layer of the sheet-like material to distribute moisture within the tampon, the portion of these laminations surrounding the central portion thereof being pursed-up and brought together so as to expose the soft absorbent material on the exterior surface and surround and cover the The uncompressed or gauze, and the pursed-up layers being so compressed transversely with respect to the axis of the pursed-up portion as to retain this pursed-up form solely as the result of creases in the gauze and compression of the soft absorbent material,

the material in the corners being compressed into a conical apex at one end, and a cord fastened at the other end.

2. A tampon in the form of an elongated body gauze, and the pursed-up layers being so compressed transversely with respect to the axis of the pursed-up portion as to retain this pursed-up form solely as the result of creases in the gauze and compression of the soft absorbent material,

the material in the corners being compressed into a conical apex at one end and a cord fastened at the other end.

3. A tampon in the form of an elongated body 7 comprising two layers of soft sheet-like absorbent cotton of quadrilateral shape having four corner portions and at least one layer of moisture absorbent gauze in between the two layers of the sheet-like cotton to distribute moisture within the tampon, a cord looped through said layers at the central portion, the portion of these laminations surrounding said central portion thereof being pursed-up and brought together so as to expose the soft absorbent cotton on the exterior surface and surround and envelop the gauze, and the pursed-up layers being so compressed transversely with respect to the axis of the pursed-up portion as to retain this pursed-up form solely as the result of creases in the gauze and compression of the soft absorbent cotton, the material in said corners being compressed into a conical apex at one end, and said cord projecting from the other end.

4. A tampon in the form of an elongated body comprising at least one layer of soft absorbent sheet-like material of polygonalshape having a plurality of corners and at least one layer of moisture absorbent gauze on top of at least one layer of the sheet-like material to distribute moisture Within the tampon, the portion of these laminations surrounding the central portion thereof being pursed-up and brought together so as to expose the soft absorbent material on the exterior surface and surround and cover the gauze, and the pursed-up layers being compressed transversely with respect to the axis of the pursed-up portion only in spaced areas to leave soft portions relatively uncompressed covering the major surface of the tampon, said tampon being retained in this pursed-up form solely as the result of creases in the gauze and compression of the soft. absorbent material at said spaced areas, the material in the corners being compressed into a conical apex at one end, and a cord fastened atthe other end.

5. A tampon in the form of an elongated bod comprising two layers of soft sheet-like absorbent cotton of quadrilateral shape having four corner portions and at least one layer of moisture abof cotton relatively uncompressed extending lengthwise of the tampon substantially abutting each other to cover substantially the entire surface of the tampon, said tampon being retained in this pursed-up form solely as the result of the creases in the gauze and compression of the soft absorbent cotton in the longitudinally spaced areas, the material in the corners being compressed into a conical apex at one end, and said cord projecting fromthe other end.

MIRIAM E. RABELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following'referenc'es are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 

